This weekend calls for temperature up in the 80’s. Chances are, you will be turning up the air conditioner in your car. Most of us don’t even think about air conditioning in our car until the first hot day of the season. Often, we turn it on that first hot day, only to find warm air coming from the vents. It’s better to have your car’s air conditioner inspected and tested before that first hot day.

I’m willing to bet; you didn’t know your car needs one. Last week, we talked about Why should you change your car’s cabin filters at least once a year. Your car a/c system also has components that require love and attention to prevent component failure.  After a cold and wet winter, we can also check to make sure there are no leaks or other issues with your car’s A/C system.

If you’re not putting a lot of miles on your car, mold and mildew can develop in your vehicle’s air conditioner and heater system.  The first time you turn on the A/C after a long winter, you may get an odor. The odor is most likely a build of bacteria and debris that’s deep inside the A/C vents. This smell may be harmful and not healthy to breathe, especially if you have respiratory problems.

Many times, the problem is nothing more than having the controls on the wrong settings.

Here a few tips to test your system out yourself:

• Turn on your air conditioner to the coldest setting, make sure all the vents are working and that the air is cold
• Check the air condition fan speeds; you should have varying fan speeds from low to high
• If you smell a foul odor when the air conditioner is turned on, it means there may be a buildup of bacteria or mold in the system. Have this taken care of right away by your service professional as you don’t want to aggravate your allergies or subject your kids to condensed mold spores.
• Check your service records to see when was the last time you replaced the cabin air filter
• Inspect under the hood at the bottom of the windshield, near the wiper blades, for a buildup of leaves. Leaves can block the incoming vents and reduce the performance of the air conditioner
• Also check for a buildup of leaves behind the front grill, which can also minimize the efficiency of the air conditioner
• When the air conditioner is on, listen for any unusual noises from the dashboard or under the hood. Rattling can signify a broken mechanism or a foreign object in the vents. *Just like at home, make sure your little ones know not to stick anything inside the vents of your car. and be careful with vent clip air fresheners*

If you’re still experiencing a loss of air flow or hot air, it’s time to bring your car to the experts. The first culprit we’ll check is the cabin air filter; it is designed to remove harmful particles from entering the passenger compartment and filters the air inside the car. The cabin air filter needs to be changed every 12,000 as it can clog quickly with road dust, soot, gaseous odors, pollutants and other contaminants that would otherwise enter the ventilation system. A clogged cabin filter will affect the airflow of the air conditioner, but not the temperature itself. If your air is not blowing cold at all, it’s time to see us.

At Osceola Garage we recommend having your air conditioner serviced once a year and before the summer season. We’ll run an air conditioner performance test that includes: checking system pressure, inspecting air conditioner components, cabin air filter, and cooling fan operation. We will also evaluate the air condition performance and recharge if needed. No matter the problem, you can be sure we’ll find a solution, so you and your car leave happy and ready for the summer heat.

Osceola garage is also offering their Spring Maintenance Package. Give us a call today or just click on the “Schedule An Appointment” button below and get your car ready for spring driving fun!